Introduction

The Chrysler 200 Convertible is a 4-passenger, 2-door midsize car and the only convertible based on an automaker's mainstream midsize sedan. It is also one of very few 4-passenger, front-wheel-drive convertibles. It is offered with 4- or 6-cylinder power and comes with a soft top or retractable hardtop.

Exterior Features

The Chrysler 200 Convertible shares the 200 Sedan's 108.9-inch wheelbase, but it is 3.1 inches longer and weighs almost 600 pounds more. It comes standard with a power-folding cloth top, and a retractable hardtop is offered as an option. The base model rides on 17-inch tires on alloy wheels, while the other models get 18s. The Limited and S trim levels also add fog lights, and the S model features black-tinted trim.

The S model, which has been made an option package for the 200 Sedan, features a Boston Acoustics sound system, black-finish fog lamp bezels and grille, black-tinted headlights, fog lights, body color door handles and exterior mirrors, and unique polished and painted 18-inch wheels.

Other notable options include a navigation system with a music hard drive and the retractable hardtop.

Under the Hood

The 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible is offered with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 3.6-liter V-6. The 2.4, offered only in the base model, delivers 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque. The other models have the V-6, which can run on E85 ethanol and produces 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The lone transmission is a 6-speed automatic with Chrysler's AutoStick manual shift capability.

Safety

The 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible comes standard with dual front air bags, front side air bags, anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes with emergency brake assist, traction control, anti-skid system, tire-pressure monitor, and front-seat active head restraints.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not tested the 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible in its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash test program. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing, it received a "Good" rating (the Institute's best rating) in the moderate front overlap, side impact, side overlap, and rear crash protection tests. It was not subjected to the roof strength or small overall front crash tests.

Technology

The Chrysler 200 Convertible comes with a choice of three audio/entertainment systems. The base system can play CDs and MP3 files and comes with an auxiliary input jack. Media Center 430, which is standard in the Limited and S models, can also play DVDs, and it adds a 6.5-inch touch screen and a 40-gigabyte hard drive with 28 GB of music file storage. It also features Gracenotes Music ID tagging. The optional Media Center 730N comes with a navigation system, voice commands, Bluetooth streaming audio, USB port, and one year of Sirius/XM Travel Link with real-time traffic information.